Major MADIT-CRT Trial Reveals Further Insights on the Effectiveness of Treatment for Mild Heart Failure Patients

Major MADIT-CRT Trial Reveals Further Insights on the Effectiveness of Treatment for Mild Heart Failure Patients

CRT-D Therapy Proves Effective in Managing Non-Ischemic Heart Disease

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with Defibrillator (CRT-D) is demonstrating significant benefits for patients with non-ischemic heart disease, a condition characterized by inflammatory scarring of the heart muscle.

Recent studies have shown that CRT-D therapy can effectively manage non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), a fast heartbeat lasting for less than 30 seconds, which is associated with an increased risk for dangerous heart rhythm events in this patient group.

The MADIT-CRT population, for example, demonstrated that patients in whom ATP (Anti-Tachycardia Pacing) corrected the arrhythmia had improved outcomes and reduced risk of heart failure or death. Furthermore, CRT-D therapy has been proven effective in terminating dangerous rhythms caused by NSVT in patients with non-ischemic heart disease.

CRT-D devices continuously monitor heart rhythm and can deliver antitachycardia pacing (ATP) or defibrillation shocks to terminate ventricular tachyarrhythmias effectively. Improved algorithms like intrinsic antitachycardia pacing (iATP) show greater success in terminating ventricular arrhythmias with fewer shocks and lower risks of arrhythmia acceleration, contributing to safety and reduced mortality.

While the focus is often on ventricular arrhythmias, CRT-D devices also impact atrial tachyarrhythmias. The presence of coordinated ventricular pacing reduces atrial pressure and volume overload, potentially decreasing episodes of atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.

In summary, CRT-D therapy plays a crucial role in managing non-ischemic heart disease by effectively terminating dangerous arrhythmias and reducing the risk of heart failure or death. The integrated defibrillator capability of CRT-D devices delivers immediate defibrillation shocks during life-threatening arrhythmias, significantly reducing mortality risk in high-risk patients.

References:

1. Zareba W, et al. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Clinical Practice. Circulation. 2010;121(25):2747–2760. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.959971
2. Tse HF, et al. Intrinsic Antitachycardia Pacing in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JACC. 2015;66(15):1620–1630. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2015.07.047
3. Carey RM, et al. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure: Clinical Benefits and Mechanisms. JACC. 2011;58(11):1163–1175. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2011.07.051
4. Huang YC, et al. Impact of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure Patients. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2015;38(8):868–875. doi:10.1111/pace.12723
5. Kleber G, et al. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Mortality in Heart Failure Patients: A Meta-Analysis. Circulation. 2007;116(18):2195–2205. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.708319

Read also:

• Overweight women undergoing IVF have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally post-weight loss
• What temperatures may make walking your canine companion uncomfortable?
• Eye treatments for Drusen: Insights and expansions
• Presidential Candidate Uses Controversial Tactics to Gain Vote, Prompting Outcry From Opponents and Politicians Alike